This book reinforces the view that the cerebellum functions as an adaptive control system, automatically adjusting its output as needed for such eventualities as temporary or lasting muscle weakness. It is the first text to synthesize the substantial body of literature on the subject, combining the neuroscience of the cerebellum with the science of control theory common to electrical and computer engineers. An appendix demonstrates evidence to support the adaptive control model from a detailed comparison of the cerebellum with an adaptive signal processor of the author's design and construction. In addition, the author's clinical perspective offers a broader view of cerebellar function beyond basic neuroscience.

The great majority of papers on brain research that have been published in Mainland China in recent years have appeared in the Chinese language (only a small fraction of the work has appeared in English in the journal Scientia Sinica), and hence they have remained inacces sible to other workers, since there have been no translation programs of publications in this field in Chinese of the types that have existed, for example, for Russian-language materials. Accordingly, most investigators are not aware of the work of their Chinese colleagues in this field. Yet the field has been an active if small one in China, and has covered a variety of topics that include electrophysiology, neurochemistry, neuropharmacology, neuropsychology, and in strumentation. Standard techniques and instruments, a number of Chinese manufacture, have been employed. Moreover, Chinese workers have been quite familiar with the publications of other investigators, as is readily apparent from the bibliographies of the papers (see Index)."

How the cerebellum accomplishes its highly complex feats of coordination has been the subject of much inquiry; one of the pre-eminent theories places adaptive control at the forefront. This book reinforces the view that the cerebellum functions as an adaptive control system; that is, it automatically adjusts its output as needed for such eventualities as temporary or lasting weakness of muscle. It is the first text to synthesize the substantial body of literature on the subject, combining the neuroscience of the cerebellum with the science of control theory common to electrical and computer engineers. Organized in four parts, the book examines cerebellar anatomy and physiology; cerebellar function; models and theories; and ends with a summary and conclusions. The author's clinical perspective offers a broader view of cerebellar function beyond the basic neuroscience. An appendix demonstrates evidence supporting the adaptive control model from a detailed comparison of the cerebellum with an adaptive signal processor of the author's design and construction.